Modular Laryngoscope Handle with Interchangeable Video and Direct Blades
Solution Overview
Problem
Current video laryngoscopes are expensive, limited in supply, and lack multifunctionality, making it difficult for healthcare providers to seamlessly transition between direct and indirect laryngoscopy techniques, especially in emergency settings where equipment availability and sizing can be a barrier.
Innovation Solution
A modular laryngoscopic device with interchangeable blades and modules that includes a handle with video functionality, allowing for both video and non-video enabled blades, and a monitor module for displaying video signals, enabling flexible use across various techniques and patient sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video laryngoscopes are used as primary devices, then video functionality and indirect laryngoscopy capability are improved, but device cost and limited supply worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngoscope is divided into separate modular components: a handle module containing video functionality and a separate blade. This allows the expensive video handle to be shared across multiple blades, reducing the overall system cost while maintaining video capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle module is designed to accept multiple types of blades (direct laryngoscopy blades, indirect laryngoscopy blades, different sizes) through a universal coupling mechanism. This multi-functionality allows a single device to perform both direct and indirect laryngoscopy, replacing the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single device performs both direct and indirect laryngoscopy, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a standardized handle module and interchangeable blades. The coupling portion uses a universal interface with standardized electrical contacts, allowing different blade types to be attached to the same handle without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism allows dynamic reconfiguration of the device by enabling quick interchange between different blade types. The electrical contacts are designed to automatically engage and disengage with the blade, providing adaptive functionality without complex control systems.
3Reliability
If video blade contacts are designed for permanent connection, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but blade interchangeability and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented into separate contact points on the handle and blade that engage through a standardized interface. This allows the connection to be reliable when engaged but easily separated when the blade needs to be changed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic interchangeable connection. The electrical contacts are designed to maintain stable electrical connection during use while allowing quick disconnection and reconnection when blades are exchanged.
4Reliability
If multiple specialized devices are stocked for different techniques, then technique-specific performance is improved, but equipment cost and inventory complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A single handle module with universal coupling can accommodate multiple blade types optimized for different techniques (direct laryngoscopy, indirect laryngoscopy, pediatric, adult). This allows one device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing inventory quantity while maintaining technique-specific performance through blade selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialization is moved from the handle to the interchangeable blades. Each blade can be optimized for specific techniques while sharing the common handle infrastructure, allowing facilities to stock only the handle and a limited selection of blades rather than multiple complete devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A laryngoscopic device includes a laryngoscope video blade and a handle module arranged to support the video blade or auxiliary direct laryngoscopy blades interchangeably thereon. The video blade includes a camera and contacts for receiving electrical power from the handle module while outputting video to the handle module from the camera. The handle module can also provide electrical power to a light source on the video blade or include its own light source to be conveyed to a light guide of a blade coupled to the handle module. The laryngoscopic device also includes a display monitor which can be removably coupled to an output of the handle module to display video generated by the video blade camera. The handle module can be used alone with non-video blades or readily converted to a video laryngoscopic device by replacing the non-video blade with a video blade and connecting the display monitor.